Self-locking sash balance



May 29, 1959 G, B, HMS 2,747,219

SELF-LOCKING SASH BALANCE Filed April l2, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 29,1956 G. B. HAAs SELF-LOCKING sAsH BALANCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April12, 1954 IN VEN TOR. /ef E. /aa5 K@ 74W United States Patent f)SELF-LGCKEJG' SASH BALANCE Glel'mgB. Haan, Oak Harbor, Ohio, assi'griorto Formetal, Inc., Oak Harbor, hio; a corporation of @hic ApplicationApril 12; 1954, Serial No. 422,354?` 14Clims. (Cl. 1li-197) Thisinvention' relates to builders hardware and, in particular, tovr sashbalances.

@nel object of thisinventioniscto provide a self-lockingautomatically-releasing sash balance which is especially adapted foruse. with removable sliding sashswindows in thatitv remains in itsvattained position when theV sash is removed, regardless of the locationwhere removal takes place; so that; they sash may be'. replaced in itsoriginal positioniwithout having to touch the sash balance, whichautomatically reassumes'its Weight-balancingfunction upon; Contact withthe replaced sash..

Another object is toy provide. al self-lockingautomatin callyreleasingsash balance of the foregoing character wherein the sash balance spring'and substantially all' of the sash" balance mechanismn4 is containedwith an elongated' tube placed at the side of the window frame or in theside of` the sash itself, so that the sash balance occupies muchr lessspace than prior sash balances of the spring-wound drum-and-tape; aswell as requiring less labor and skill'in' installation'.

AnotherV object is, to provide a self-locking automatically-releasingsash balance adapted to be used with either wood' or metal sashes,vandiwherein a single standard unit is adaptable to' be insertedwithinvarious types ofv wood orfmetal sash^guides=or withina suitable' groovein either the window frame` or in'the side of the sash itself, therebysimplifying manufacture and'enabling one unit to be used for widelydileringtypes` of sashinstallations.

Another object isrto provide a self-locking automatically-releasing sashbalance of the foregoing character wherein ilockingis accomplishedbyatilting loekingmemberwhich is slidable relatively to the tubecontaining Ithe balancingspring when the locking member is approximatelyperpendicular to the tube but which tilts into gripping engagement withthe tube when it is released from engagement with the sash upon removalof the sash,.the` grippingengagement taking place either on the innerandouter walls of the tube or on the outer` Wall only.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description ofthe accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical section through a double-hung slidingsashinstallation equipped with an internally selflocking and self-releasingsash balance according to one form' of the invention, wherein the sashbalance is contained within a metal sash guide on one side of the windowframe;

Figure Z is a vertical section taken at right angles to the section ofFigure l, along the line 2 2 therein;

Figure 3- is a horizontal section taken along the line SrL-Sein Figurel;

Figure; 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the lowerend of the sashbalance and adjacent portiono'f" the` sash;A showing thelocking mechanism in its1 released position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section through:thesashguide and sash balance ofy Figures l; to'4 2,747,219 VliaterltedMay 29, 1956 2. inclusive, with the sash removed and theA lockingmechanism in itslocked position;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectiontaken along theline=66 in Figure 5;

Figure 7` isa vertical section at right-angles to thevere ticalsectioniof Figure 6, taken along the line: 7 -7` in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a side elevation-of the lockingpl'ate carrier of the sashbalance shown in Figures 1 to1-7 inclusive,v with theI central portionomitted to conserve space;

Figure 9 is. al front elevation, similarly shortened;y of the lockingplate carrier shown in Figure 8;.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the-locking; plate: used in thesashbalance of Figures 1 to.7 inclusive;

Figure l1 is a side elevation of the lockinglplateshown in Figure 10;

Figure l2 is a horizontal section in a plane similar to the plane ofFigure 3, but showing amodication inwhich the metal sash guide isvformed withv a tubular portion containing` the Working mechanism of thesash balance, elmiinating a separate tube;

Figure 13 is a similar4 horizontal section'. through a furthermodification whereintth'e sash balance is secured to the side of a plainwooden Window frame and-projects from it into a groove in the side ofthesa'sh;

Figure 141; is asimilar horizontal!sectionithrough a.still furthermodification wherein the sash balance is mounted in a groove in`therside of. aiplainwindow frame;

Figure.` l5 is` a similar horizontal section. through an additionalmodificationk wherein the sash; balance. is mountedwithintheimetalwindowl frame of double-hung removable metal sliding sash,ontheresilientside. thereof;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary fronttelevation ofr thelower portion of amodilied sashl balanceaccording tov the in'- vention, employing. an.externally-gripping' lockingN plate; in its locking position;

Figure 17 is a side elevationgtpartly irl-,vertical section; of themodified sash balancezshown in Figure: 16;.and1

Figure 182 is a` horizontal section taken along the line 18918 in Figure17.

Removable double-hung sliding sash'- windowsfinl recent years have` beenwidely introduced in the building` industry, and theirl use hasfacilitated' the cleaningv of windows asA well-v asreduced drafts, heatlosses* and rattling. ln such Windows; one' of-` the Vertical sashguides inthe windowv frame is resiliently mounted, so-asf to b'eyield#able suilicient distance tot permitf theoppositey side of the windowsash to beremovedfrom its' stationary sash guide by pushing sidewise onthesash, thereby enabling the sash` to be quickly and easily removed?for cleaning or other purposes. in such' installations, however, it isnecessary to use a suiiiciently stiff sprin'g'pre'ssureV against theyieldable sash guideto cause the sash guidesandsash to frictionally gripone another' to` an extent sutiicient to overcome the weight of the sashand prevent' it from dropping, unless a sash balance is employed;Conventional sash balances, however, greatly complicatethe use oi.removable sasli Windows since, if used, tneyrequire attaching anddetaching the sash balance cord, cable; chainor tape every time the sashis removed, and'require reconnecting it when the sash is replaced in theWindow frame. When the sash is removed in such an installation, however,the cord, cable, chain or tape flies upward under the inuence of. theweight or spring attached to it,

and must be pulled down and reconnected before the in order to removethe sash, since the springs associated with the yielding sash guide areno longer required to force the sash guide and sash together with asuflicient frictional'force to hold the sash in its raised position. Thesash balance of the present invention, moreover, merely engages the sashwithout requiring positive connection to the sash, the sash balancebeing provided with self-locking and self-releasing mechanism which goesinto operation to automatically lock the sash balance in its attainedposition when the sash is removed, and to automatically release the sashbalance to resume its balancing function when the sash is replaced. Thesash balance spring is housed in an elongated metal tube with a slot inthe front thereof through which a locking plate carrier projects andholds a tilting locking plate which instantly rocks and grips the tubeto lock the carrier in its attained position when the sash is removed.When the sash is replaced, the locking plate is rocked in the oppositedirection to release its grip upon the tube so that the balancing springresumes its balancing function. The spring sash balance of Figures l toinclusive employs an internallygripping locking plate, whereas themodied spring sash balance of Figures 16 to 18 inclusive employs anexternally-gripping locking plate.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 3 inclusive show adouble-hung sliding removable window sash installation, generallydesignated 10, consisting of upper and lower sliding sashes 12 and 14slidably mounted in metallic sash guides 16 and yielding sash guides 17set into elongated vertical recesses 18 and 19 respectively in theopposite side members 20 and 21 respectively of a window frame,generally designated 22. The window frame 22 has a sloping window sill24 and a head or top member 26, the construction being shown insimplified or diagrammatic form for clarity of illustration. In the formshown in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive, the stationary sash guide 16 is of aspecial rolled cross-section whereas the yielding sash guide 17 is ofconventional form, the details of which are beyond the scope of thepresent invention. For the purposes of the present disclosure, theyielding sash guide 17 (Figure A3), of which there are two disposed sideby side to receive the upper and lower sashes 12 and 14, consists of ametal channel member of approximately E-shaped cross-section having acentral guide portion 28 with longitudinally-spaced apertures 30 inwhich fastener cups 32 are inserted, the bottom of each fastener cup 32being drilled to receive a fastener 34 seated in the side member 20.Adjacent and between the fastener cups 32 are longitudinally-spaced coilsprings 36 which urge the yielding sash guide 17 into engagement withthe window sash 12 or 14, the side edge portion 38 of which slidablyengages the central guide portion 28.

The opposite or stationary sash guide 16 may, like the yielding sashguides 17, be formed in two separate units but, for purposes ofsimplicity, Figure 3 shows it as formed in the shape of a one-piecedouble-guide unit. The sash guide 16 is preferably rolled in a rollingmill or rolling machine from strip aluminum or other suitable sheetmetal, and includes two sash guide channel portions 40 and 42respectively (Figure 3) also of approximately E-shaped cross-section butwith extended channel portions 44 and 46 depressed relatively to thechannel portions 40 and 42 so as to snugly receive and house theself-locking sash balance, generally designated 50 according to thefirst form of the invention. The two guide channel portions 40 arespaced apart from one another, one receiving the upper sash 12 and theother the lower sash 14, and are interconnected by a bridge portion 52which is drilled as at 54 to receive fasteners 56 for securing thestationary sash guide unit 16 to the window frame side member 20.

The self-locking and self-releasing spring sash balance 50 of Figures 1to ll inclusive is housed in an elongated metal tube 58 of approximatelyrectangular cross-section with a rectangular chamber 60 running from oneend to the other thereof and with an elongated slot 62 in the front wall64 of the tube 58 (Figure 5). Thus the tube 58 is of approximatelysquare C-shaped cross-section. The upper and lower ends of the tube 58are drilled for the passage of fasteners 66 and 68, the upper fastener66 also serving as an anchorage for the upper end of an elongatedtension spring 70. The fasteners 66 and 63 secure the tube 5S and thechannel portions 44 and 46 to the window frame side members 20.

The lower end of the tension spring 70 is hooked through a hole 72 in alocking plate carrier 74 (Figures 8 and 9) of a sash balance lockingdevice, generally designated '76, which also includes a tilting orrocking locking plate 78. The carrier 74 is in the form of anapproximately L-shaped metal plate or bar having a vertical arm and ahorizontal arm 82 with a notch 84 at their junction on their inneredges. The notch 84 has an upper edge 86 which is substantiallyperpendicular to the front edge 88 of the upper arm 80, the rearwardedge 90 of the notch 84 and the lower portion 92 of the rearward edge 94thereof being arcuate and approximately concentric with a neck portion93 between them. The lower edge 96 of the notch 84 is inclined andconverges toward the lower edge 98 of the lower arm 82, of which itforms part of the upper edge 100, the latter being substantiallyparallel to the lower edge 98. The upper edge portions 96 and 100 joinone another at a ridge or fulcrum edge 102, which is nearer the frontedge 103 of the arm 82 than the rear edge 90 of the notch 84. The frontand rear edges 88 and 94 are also substantially parallel except for thearcuate lower edge portion 92.

The locking plate 78 (Figures 10 and 11), which cooperates with thelocking plate carrier 74, is approximately rectangular in shape with aforward trigger portion 104 and a rearward portion 106 separated fromone another by rectangular notches 108 extending inwardly toward oneanother from the opposite edges 110 of the locking plate 78. Therearward portion 106 of the locking plate 78 also has a largerrectangular notch 112 in its rearward edge 114 of sufficient width toloosely receive the neck portion 93 (Figure 5). The notches 108 are ofslightly greater width than the thickness of the tube 58 (Figure 6) sothat their opposite edges tightly grip the inner and outer surfaces ofthe front wall 64 of the tube 58 when the locking plate 78 is pulledinto its tilted position by the spring 70 when the sash 12 or 14 isremoved, but are of sufficient width to loosely and slidably pass alongthe front wall 64 (Figure 4) when the sash is replaced, and engages thelocking plate 78. Thus the locking plate 78 tilts around the ridge 102as a fulcrum. In order to receive and engage the locking plate 78, eachsash 12 or 14 is provided with a rectangular notch 116 having an upperabutment wall or shoulder 118 perpendicular to its outer edge andconsequently adapted to tilt the locking plate 78 around its fulcrum 102into a position likewise perpendicular.

In the operation of the invention, let it be assumed that the lower sash14 is raised a short distance above the sill 24 (Figure 1) with itsabutment wall 118 tilting the locking plate 78 around its fulcrum 102into the freesliding perpendicular position of Figure 4. In thisposition the opposite sides of the notches 108 and the locking plate 78do not engage the front wall 64 of the tube 58, so that the sash 12 or14 may be raised and lowered freely while the spring 70 counterbalancesthe weight of the sash.

To remove the sash 14 from its position of Figure 1, the operator graspsthe sash 14 in his hands and shifts it sidewise to the right (Figures 1and 3), pushing the yielding sash guide 17 to the right, compressing thesprings 36. This enables the edge portion 38 of the sash 14 to bewithdrawn from the channel portion 42 of the stationary sash guide 16,so that the left-hand side of the sash 14 may be swung outward past theedge of thev window frame 22,

permitting the sash: 14Tto be completely,v removed from the window frame22.

The instant the shoulder 118' of thenotch 116 of the sash 14 isdisengaged from the locking.- plate 78, the lockingl plate carrier 74 isjerked upward bythe tension spring, 70, rocking the locking. plate 78aroundthe fulcrum1tl2 off the perpendicular edgel portion 100 and onto?the inclined portion 96, causing; thel opposite edges of the notches 108to bite into the front Wall-portions 64 of; the tube-53 on oppositesides of: the slot 62 (Figures 5, 6r and 7). The tube 58 is perferablymade of a relatively soft metal, such as aluminum, to facilitate thisbiting action: When the locking plate: 78 is thus tilted (Figure l), itinstantly halts the upward motion of the locking plate carrier 74 andholds the sash balance 50'in itsattained position. After the` sash. 14-has been cleaned or otherwise treated, it is replaced byinserting itsrighthand` edge in the channel portion.` 28 of itsrespective yielding.lsash guide 1-7,.whereupon. the operator pushes to the right asufficientv distance-tocause they sash guide 151 toi yield suiicientlyto permitits left-hand edge portion.38 to re-enter the sash guidechannel 42immediately above. the locked location of theflocking plate78-which entersthe notch 116in'the lower, left-hand corner of thesash14. The sash 14 either drops of its own weight orisspushedfdownwardfuntilV the shoulder 1f18`at the top of the notchengages the forwardy portion 104of the locking plate 78r-and1tilts itinto its perpendicular position (Figure 4) aroundthe fulcrum 102,. therearward portion 106 coming to a haltagainst the upper edge 86 of thenotch 84- Thislrele'ases the opposite edges of thenotches 108 from'theirbiting grips-upon the front wall' portions 64 of the sash balance tube58, permitting the sashbalance to move upward freely and resumecounterbalancing the weight of' the sash 14.

The modified removable sash installation, generally designated 119,shown in Figure 12 is similar in principle to therforrn of the inventionshown inFig-ures 1 to 11V inclusive, except that the sash balancetube-53I is omitted, andthe-rearward channelportion 44fof` the sashguide' 16 is'ljoined to the .sashguide channel-'portion 40-byinwardlyturnedfreversely-bent edges- 12tl-fwith aslot 122A between them;FPhe combinedlthicknessof;eaohf ofthe reverselybent portions: 12tlisslightly less than the width.` of the side: notches 108' of thelocking;platez78, so that the latter slides lfreely; whenin l itsperpendicular position analogous toFigure 4,.but1biterintolthe. outerandi-inner surfaces of the :portions 1-'20rwhen i the i sash isrernoved4andf the plate 78ris'rocked byk the'upward` pull.v of thespring-70: Theoperationof the modification oft Figure: 12 is otherwise thel same' ashas beenn described immediately above.

`The moditied removable: saslr installation, generally designated 124;shown inv Figure: 1:3 employs.` the same saslisbalanceSllas hasrbeendescribed above/inconnection with Figures 1 to l1 inclusive, butthe:tube'5& is shown asf fasteneddirectly. toithewindowframe:sidermembersV 20 insteady of being seated int ai metal: sash guide. Inthis modification', `the sashes 12=andz 14A are -grooved as atv 126 to'.slirlably receive' thel tube.: 58 and-l the` bottom of eachgroove;126-isfprovidedzwithfa notch 128` with anv upperwallziorslroulder' ltlxsimilarfinspnsition, location and funetion'l` tothexnotch:116iwithits shoulder 118 of Figure 41.. The operation, oftliemodiedrsashiinstallation'124is similar to that ofthef principalinstallationlfand modiedlinstallationi 1'1'9'previously ldescribed aboveYandV hence requires no' repetition:

'lhe modified removable sash installation, generally designatedr 132i,shownin; Figure 14 is'similarto that' of Figure 13 except thatf the tubeSSofeach: sash balance Stlis set-` into a.groove1-34 in the'window frameside member- 20k instead ofi projectingfrom' it as1in/ Figure" 13 orbeingzrnounted within'. a metallic sashi guide as in. Figures 13 to' l2inclusive'. Thesashes'12and:14;.as.in1Figure 1, aref providedllwith'notches :116 with upper abutment walls or shoulders 1.18 an'd; for' the;same; purpose; The* operatiorrofthe modication 1132 is otherwise thesameas that ofi Figures 1 to-ll inclusiveY andi-hence`requiresfno-repetition.

The modi-tied removable sash installation 140 shown in Figure 15 is'also' similar in` principle to the foregoingV forms of the invention',except that'. the invention has been applied toa removable double-hungmetallic sash-window, generally designated 1'42, consisting ofmetal-framed upper and lower sashes 144 and 146mounted in sash guide.channel members 147 and 148`respectively. The guide channel member 148has guide channels 150`and 152 side by side for receiving the right-handedges ofthe sashes 144-and 146. The guide-channel member 147 has deeperchannels 154' and156 side by side for receiving'the-opposite'edgesof theupper and lower sashes` 144' and 146 and the two sash` balances 50, bothof which are loosely mounted on their respective fasteners 66 and 68(Figure l) so as to be freely movable laterally under the urge of coilsprings 158 and* 160 respectively, a separate anchorage being provided,if necessary, for the spring. 70. The adjacent sides of the upper andlower sashes 144 and 146:- are notched as at 162 in a manner similar tothe notches 116 in the lower left-hand corners of the Wooden .sashes` ofFigure l, and providingabutment shoulders or walls`164similar in purposeand action to the abutment shoulder or wall 118.

The operationof the metallic removable window sash installation 142 ofFigure l5 is also-generally the same as in the form of the inventionshown in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive, hence likewise requires norepetition. In this instance, however, each sash is: pushed to the leftin order to disengage it from the guide. channel- 150 or 1152,co'mpressing'the spring- 158 or'168 and shifting the sash balances tothe left so as topermit the sashes 144 and 145 to be removed. Lockingtakes place in the same manner asdescribed above in connection withFigures 1 to 11 inclusive when the sash 144 or 146 is disengaged fromits respective locking plate 78.

The modified sash balance, generally designated 170, shown in Figures 16to 18 inclusive is similar in principle to the1 sash balance 50 ofFigures l to l5 inclusive exceptthatlit employsan externally-grippinglocking plate 172-instead of the partly external and partly internallock'- ingplate 78 of Figures l to-l5 inclusive, which for convenienceand conciseness has been designated internal locking. plate78. The tube174 which houses the spring 176 and locking plate carrier 17.8' is ofslightlyl different cross-section than the. tube 584 in that ithasparallelfront and rear walls 18) and182, an elongated frontzwall slot183, parallel:k forward side walls 184 and converging corner side walls186 (Figure 18). The locking plate carrier 1781s also L-shaped, but-ofslightly different form, in .that

. itk has avertical arm 188 encircled by the spring 176 and a`horizontal arm 190which has upper and lower notches 192 and 194respectively serving as anchorages for' the lower endof the kspring 176.The horizontal arm has an upper edge 196 whichvengages the forwardportion 198 ofthe locking plate 172. The locking plate 172 has a notchor opening 200 extending from its rearward edge 292. toward itsforwardportion 198; The opening 200 is ofy similar cross-section to thetube 174, but slightly larger so as torpermitfree sliding of thelockingplate 172 relatively tothe tubef1'74 when the former is perpendicular tothei latter by reason of the engagementv of the window sash. therewith.For this purpose, the opening 200 has a-forwardedgel 204, parallel sideedges 206, and converging corner edges 208.

The operation of themodied sash balance 170 is similar. in principle tothat of the sash balance 50 described above,xexcept thatv the lockingplate 172 grips the outside of the tube 174= rather than partly insideand partly outsideI as in the case of the sash balance 501. When thesash is in' position in itssash guides withV its lower portion engagingthel lockinglplatei198, the latter is forced downward againsttheperpendicular uppervedge196'of the arm 190, causing the locking plate172 to assume a position perpendicular to the tube 174 and consequentlypermitting the locking plate 172 to slide freely upward or downwardalong the tube 174. When, however, the sash is removed, the spring 176jerks the L-shaped carrier 178 upward, rocking the locking plate 172 sothat its forward inner edge 204 bites into the outside surface of theforward wall 180 of the tube 174 and the converging internal corneredges 208 bite into the converging corner walls 186 of the tube 174,causing instant locking to take place.

What I claim is:

l. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion.

2. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagementV of saidtrigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into grippingengagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of saidsash from said trigger portion, said locking member comprising a notchedplate supported by the projecting portion of said carrier.

3. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger por- 8 tion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped withhorizontal and vertical arms and said locking member comprising anotched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier.

4. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped withhorizontal and vertical arms and said locking member comprising anotched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier, with theopposite sides of the notch grippingly engageable with spaced portionsof said housing in the tilted position of said locking member.

5. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped withhorizontal and vertical arms with a recess disposed at the junction ofits horizontal and vertical arms and said locking member comprising anotched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier.

6. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped withhorizontal and vertical` arms .with a recess disposedat` thev junctionof its horizontal and' vertical arms and said lockingmember comprising anotched place supported by the horizontal arms of said carrier, with anaperture therein receiving the vertical arm of said carrier and with anedge adjacent said aperture engageable With a side of said recess in theunlocked position of said locking member.

7. A resilient sash balance-,for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned conditionin response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacementi and return to said given'location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongatedv opening in aside Wall thereof, an elongated resilientA element disposed in saidhousing and anchored at itsupper end, a locking member carrier connectedto the lower end of said resilient element'and havinga portionprojecting through said opening,rand a locking member tiltably mountedVon said projecting portion-and having a trigger portion projectingbeyondsaid pivot into the path of; travel of `saidl sashrfor engagementthereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide,freely relatively to said housing'inlresponse to the engagementy of saidtrigger portion by saidrsash andi adapted to tilt into grippingengagement with said housing in responseA tot the disengagement of saidsash from said trigger portion, said carrier being approximately-L-shaped-With horizontal and vertical arms with an upper edge portion ofthe horizontal armthereof inclined downwardly towardits junction withthe vertical arm thereof and' said'locking member comprising a notchedplate supported by the horizontal` arm of saidcarrier.

S, A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is4automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response tosasha-removal ata given'location and automatically released in responseto sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped withhorizontal and vertical arms with an upper edge portion of thehorizontal arm thereof inclined downwardly toward its junction with thevertical arm thereof and said locking member comprising a notched platesupported by the horizontal arm of said carrier, said carrier having arecess disposed at said junction and said locking member having anaperture therein receiving the vertical arm of said carrier and with anedge adjacent said aperture engageable with a side of said recess in theunlocked position of said locking member,

9. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper Venda locking-member carrier connected to thelowervend of saidlresilient element and-having aportion projecting.through saidcpening, and a` locking member tiltably mounted on=said'projecting portion and having a4 trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travelIof said saslr for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said-sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housingin response tothe disengagement of said sashfromsaidftrigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped withhorizontal and vertical armswith a forward upper edge portion of thehorizontal arm thereof substantially horizontal, and with a rearwardupper edge portion of said horizontal arm inclined downwardly toward itsjunction with the vertical arm thereof and said locking membercomprising aV notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of saidcarrier.

lO.-` Ay resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windowswhichis automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response tosashremoval at a given location and automatically released inresponse tosash replacementand return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent theV sash and having anl elongated-opening.in`aside Wall thereof, an elongated resilient'felement disposed insaid'housing andanchoredv at its upper end, a locking member carrierconnected to the lowen end of said resilient element and` having aportion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltablymounted: onvsaidrprojecting portion and having a trigger portionprojecting beyond said pivot into the4 path of travel of. said sash forengagement'thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adaptedto slide freely relatively tosaidhousing-in response to the engagementof said4 trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into grippingengagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement ofsaid sashfrom said trigger portion,.said carrier being approximately. L-shape'dwith horizontal andvertical arms' with a forward upper edge portion ofthe horizontal arm thereof substantially horizontal and with a rearwardupper edge portion of said horizontal arm inclined downwardly toward itsjunction with the vertical arm thereof and said locking membercomprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of saidcarrier and with a pivot at the junction of said forward portion andsaid inclined rearward portion of said horizontal arm.

ll. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withVsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion, said locking member comprising a plate with an aperturetherein configured to slidably receive said housing and extend aroundthe major portion thereof.

l2. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which isautomatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sashremoval at a given location and automatically released in response tosash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balancecomprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to thewindow frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housingand anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to thelower end of said resilient element and having a portion projectingthrough said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on saidprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond saidpivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, saidlocking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freelyrelatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said triggerportion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from saidtrigger portion, said locking member comprising a plate with an aperturetherein congured to slidably receive said housing and extend around themajor portion thereof, said locking member having forward and rearwardedge portions adjacent said aperture adapted to grippingly engage theforward and rearward walls respectively of said housing in response tothe tilting of said locking member.

13. A combination self-locking sash balance and sash guide for slidingsash windows comprising an elongated sash guide member of sheet materialhaving a channel portion therein adapted to slidably receive said sash,and a tubular extension portion disposed rearwardly of said channelportion with an elongated opening therebetween having aninwardly-projecting locking edge; an elongated resilient elementdisposed in said extension portion and anchored at its upper end, alocking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilientelement and having a portion projecting through said opening, and alocking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having atrigger portion projecting into the path of travel of said sash forengagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adaptedto slide freely relatively to said locking edge in response to theengagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt intogripping engagement with said locking edge in response to thedisengagement of said sash from said trigger portion.

14. A combination self-locking sash balance and sash guide for slidingsash windows comprising an elongated sash guide member of sheet materialhaving a channel portion therein adapted to slidably receive said sash,and a tubular extension portion disposed rearwardly of said channelportion with an elongated opening therebetween having aninwardly-projecting locking edge; an elongated resilient elementdisposed in said extension portion and anchored at its upper end, alocking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilientelement and having a portion projecting through said opening, and alocking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having atrigger portion projecting into the path of travel of said sash forengagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adaptedto slide freely relatively to said locking edge in response to theengagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt intogripping engagement with said locking edge in response to thedisengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said lockingmember comprising a notched plate supported by the projecting portion ofsaid carrier.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,771,997 Fast Aug. 5, 1930 2,158,963 Gassen May 16, 1939 2,383,852Goldenberg Aug. 28, 1945 2,657,422 Lipson Nov. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS4,006 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1908

